Express your support for British expat votes

USE IT OR LOSE – register to vote if you have the right!

If you are a British expat who has been abroad less than 15 years (the arbitrary point at which you are currently disenfranchised) you can vote in general UK parliamentary elections and European parliamentary elections for up to 15 years after moving abroad.

Overseas voters can vote by post or by proxy – or in person if you happen to be in the right place on polling day and aren’t voting by post or proxy.

Registration information and forms are available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. Click on Overseas Voters and you will come to the page for British citizens living abroad.

Voting rights of Expats

Recommendations adopted by the European Commission 29 January 2014

Member States that limit the rights of their nationals to vote in national elections based exclusively on a residence condition should enable their nationals who make use of their right to free movement and residence in the European Union to retain their right to vote if they demonstrate a continuing interest in the political life in the Member State of which they are nationals, including through an application to remain registered on the electoral roll.

In cases where Member States allow their nationals residing in another Member State to retain their right to vote in national elections through an application to remain registered on the electoral roll, these Member States can put in place proportionate accompanying arrangements, such as reapplication at appropriate intervals.

Member States that allow their nationals residing in another Member State to retain their right to vote in national elections through an application or a reapplication to remain registered on the electoral roll should ensure that all relevant applications may be submitted electronically.

Member States providing for the loss of the right to vote in national elections by their nationals residing in another Member State should inform them by appropriate means and in a timely manner about the conditions and the practical arrangements for retaining their right to vote in national elections.